Happy Halloween!!

Here's hoping everyone has a safe & happy Halloween.

(Can't wait to see all the pictures of those cute kiddos dressed up.)

Exploring the Upstate

Yesterday my new friend (my camera) and I hopped in the car to see what we could find.

We did have one particuliar destination in mind. One that I'd seen signs for but never had the time to go see, so today was the day.

Take a look at what we found on this beautiful autumn day.......

Isn't she beautiful? It was built in 1909 and is the last covered bridge in SC.

This is what it actually looks like - couldn't they have blocked it off better than that?

Well, apparently that's all for now - Blogger's not co-operating with me.

I'll have lots more fall beauty soon.

Carving Time

This past weekend the kids decided to carve their pumpkins for Halloween week.

I love that they could be in shorts & t-shirts in October (ya gotta love the south), however now is a different story with frost on my car this morning & 35 on the thermometer.

They had fun & I'm thankful I didn't lose any fingers.

I've Been "Boo-ed"

Happy Halloween Everybody!

In the spirit of this festive holiday, there is some "Boo-ing" going around

and if I've sent you here, you've been "Boo-ed" too.

Darlene from Darlene's Days "Boo-ed" me, so spread the

love, pick up your Halloween treat (picture) and find

some people to Boo too.

Go to as many friends as you want & tell them they've been "Boo-ed". Be sure to link back to my blog & don't forget to put your treat on your side bar so everyone will know.

Happy Treating!!

Misc. Weekend Happenings

I'll go ahead and apologize for the rambling nature that this post is going to have.

We've had so much going on lately that I don't want to do one post for each individual item, so just bear with me.

Gymnastics meet Friday night: (please excuse the awful pictures - I'll explain all that in a minute).

The hair - very important and yes I did make the fluffy thing to match her leotard.

Aren't they adorable? All smiles & excitement before the meet.

Getting her medal - no flashes allowed....sorry it's so dark & fuzzy.

Afterward - still all smiles.

Ok - now for the explaination about the pictures. You may have read that my nice camera was "missing". We've since determined that it (along with our portable DVD player) were stolen from my car. I've learned a life lesson from all of this drama.....always lock your car doors - even in your own driveway. I'm way too trusting of people & try to believe the good. Well, that's changed & little & I'm learning to be more careful with our stuff.

We were all very upset that our property had been violated & I was extremely irritated that one of my favorite possessions (my camera) was taken....G was more upset that her favorite movie was in the dvd player at the time.

They say that when God closes a door (or opens one, so to speak) He opens a window. Once again He has supported us through this ordeal and as of yesterday...... I am the proud new owner of this:

I'm in love. Special thanks go out to my wonderful hubby, who on his birthday went out & helped me find this great camera. It is so much better than the one I had before and even came with an extra zoom lens. I can bearly keep myself inside washing clothes when all I want to do is go out and get to know my new friend.

That's about all for now. Hope your Monday is getting off to a good start.

Now, I really must go do laundry.

Daddy's Birthday

Today is Daddy's special day.

He's turning 38!

I've known him since he was 16 and must say he just gets better with age.

Happy Birthday!!!!

We love you!!

Important Day

(Yea - B's gonna love that...hehe)

The day has finally arrived.....it's G's first gymnastics meet.

She is so excited & nervous but to tell the truth, I think I'm more nervous than she is.

It's so hard as a parent to send them out there all alone.

(Oh, I hope she does well)

It takes place this afternoon (yes I had to pull them out of school early to go) because it's in a town about 2 1/2 hrs. from here.

I'll post pictures sometime this weekend. They will have to be from Daddy's little

point & shoot instead of my nice camera since it is currently missing.

(I don't know where it is, only that I last saw it in my car......I know!)

Wish us luck & break a leg or whatever.....no, no.....that's for show business - I surely

don't want any broken legs.

Thanks for the moral support!

****Update****

Overall it went really well. In SC they score but everyone on Levels 2 & 3 get ribbons and a medal.

She made a couple of blunders that she knows not to do next time but it was her first meet so it was a great learning experience.

She ended up coming in fourth on her team with her overall score so, that's not too bad.

As for pictures......not much came out well enough to post.

A friend did try to get some of G, so if I get those I'll definitely put them up.

Maybe I can get an early Christmas present to replace my good camera.

(We're pretty sure it was taken out of my car at night - we've also had a PSP & ipod go "missing".)

Just had to share

A friend sent me this & I had to share........it's so true.

(If it offends you - sorry.)

Enjoy each season, both Halloween & Election!

Too Funny

Last weekend my parents came down from NC for a quick visit. As usual the kids were so excited to see them and pretty much tired themselves out. They both fell asleep before I tucked them into bed.

When I went to check on them, this is what I found.......

Awww....isn't he sweet?

Now, when I went upstairs to check on G, this is what I find:

I laughed & laughed, called Daddy up to see her & then did what any good blogging mom would do......got my camera.

Award Distribution

A couple of weeks ago, Darlene over at Darlene's Days gave me this great award.....Yay!

I love awards!

Now, I get to pass this around to a few of my favorites......

Congrats to:

Rhonda from Scooterblu's Whimsy

Sassy over at Southern Sassyness

and

Carrie from Buzzings of a Queen Bee

Girls, I hope you don't already have this one, but if you do - too bad......I love it too!

I just love seeing what these great girls are up to.

If you've never dropped by for a visit, head over & meet them.

4 Reluctant Entertainers Giveaway

Giveaway Announcement: (sadly not by me)

If you've never checked out 4 Reluctant Entertainers head over now. She's celebrating her 2 year anniversary and has this great Fall giveaway going on.

They are a wonderful family that tries to help out those of us who stress about welcoming people into our homes. She's taught me that it's not the menu or the dishes that matter - just the fellowship.

Biltmore Winery

We'll conclude our little tour of The Biltmore Estate with a few pictures from the Winery.

This has been on the grounds since the mid-80's and is in the old Biltmore Dairy buildings. It's a nice little stop if you ever get to visit.

The tasting room - yum.

The store - sorry for the blurriness - I was rushing around.

The end of a fun filled day. We'll definitely be back to explore all of the activities that we couldn't do in one day.

Thanks for coming on the tour with us!

Biltmore con't....River Bend Farm

The trip continues.

Let's move along now to the part of the 8,000 acre estate that includes more historic buildings, outdoor activities and old-fashioned fun......River Bend Farm, other wise known in our house as - the most fun part.

Let's look at the scenery along the way.....it is approximately 4 miles away from the main house so there's lots to look at.

This was a beautiful little pond with the house in the background, it was a perfect spot to stop & have a picnic lunch (which we did).

The obligatory kid photos - aren't they cute?

They even have a mercantile & a creamery (ice cream shop) at the barn.

That's it from River Bend Farm. Come back tomorrow & we'll head to over to Biltmore Winery - otherwise known in our house as Mommy's favorite part.